Independent Cutler denounces ‘duopoly’ of politics

WASHINGTON — Eliot Cutler, now mounting a second effort to win Maine’s governorship as an independent candidate, on Thursday criticized what he characterized as the “duopoly” of politics both nationally and in Maine — saying it puts candidates who do not identify with either of the two major parties at a disadvantage.

Comment

By Shelby Carignan

seacoastonline.com

By Shelby Carignan

Posted Dec. 12, 2013 at 5:17 PM
Updated Dec 12, 2013 at 5:20 PM

By Shelby Carignan

Posted Dec. 12, 2013 at 5:17 PM
Updated Dec 12, 2013 at 5:20 PM

» Social News

WASHINGTON — Eliot Cutler, now mounting a second effort to win Maine’s governorship as an independent candidate, on Thursday criticized what he characterized as the “duopoly” of politics both nationally and in Maine — saying it puts candidates who do not identify with either of the two major parties at a disadvantage.

“The rules that we have in place today are problematic. They’re problematic for independents. They’re most problematic for the people of the United States,” Cutler said at a panel discussion sponsored by the New York University Law Center in Washington, D.C.

He called for reforms in the current primary election and campaign finance systems, including allowing independent candidates to raise as much money as Democrats and Republicans. In Maine, supporters can make the maximum contribution allowed by law to Republican and Democratic candidates in two different cycles — both during the primary and general election. But they can donate that amount only once to independents.

Cutler also suggested Maine should have an open primary or a runoff, either of which he said would be an improvement over the current system. But, Cutler added, such election reforms will not come from Republicans or Democrats, “because it would weaken their duopolistic control over the system.”

That is why he has chosen a path as a political independent, said Cutler, a onetime aide to the late Sen. Edmund Muskie, D-Maine, and later an official in the Carter White House.

“Imagine that 50 percent of you want to buy loafers,” Cutler told the panel. “But you go to the store and the only thing that’s available on the marketplace are red lace up shoes and blue lace up shoes. If you want loafers, you’re out of luck.”

In 2010, Cutler lost to now-Gov. Paul LePage, the Republican candidate, by less than 2 percentage points in a three-way race. He faces another three-way contest in 2014 against LePage and the likely Democratic nominee, Congressman Mike Michaud from Maine’s 2nd District.

Cutler, founding partner of an environmental law firm, took a dig at Michaud’s recent endorsement from the Maine chapter of the Sierra Cub — suggesting the environmental group is little more than a branch of the Democratic Party.

“In Maine today, we have the Sierra Club endorsing a candidate for governor who got a 55 percent rating [on environmental votes] when he served in the Maine Legislature. Why? Because the Sierra Club and the Democratic Party are now like this,” Cutler declared, as he crossed his fingers.

Cutler also denounced the influence of money in elections, while acknowledging his heavy financial support of his own campaign in 2010. Cutler pumped $1 million of his own money into that campaign in the form of a loan.

“As someone who’s spent quite a bit of my own money on the last race, the argument that it’s a good thing for people who are wealthy to have essentially a larger voice or more access to the ballot than people who don’t is something that I just think is destructive to democracy,” he said.

Though much of the discussion focused on the disadvantages facing independent and third-party candidates, Cutler expressed optimism.

“There is still, in this democracy, an opportunity to make real change. You don’t have to accept the limited choices that the duopoly offers,” he said.

“If I win, when I win this time, Maine will be the first state in political history to have both an independent senator and an independent governor at the same time,” he said, referring to independent Sen. Angus King, a former two-term governor.